Digitimes Research: Solar wafer makers in Greater China increase quotes

Feb 10, 15:12

The prices of solar wafers and cells have been increasing. However, polysilicon spot price remains flat at US$29.50/kg while the price of solar modules has dropped by EUR0.01/watt.

Digitimes Research: Solar PV installations booming in US southwestern states

Feb 10, 14:57

In the US, every state has its own solar PV incentive program. The ranking of the top-10 states that have the highest installations is expected to go through major reshuffles in 2011 and 2012.

Motech January revenues up on month, down on year

Feb 10, 11:30

Taiwan-based solar cell maker Motech Industries had consolidated revenues of NT$999 million (US$33.8 million) for January increasing 7.27% on month but decreasing 67.78% on year, according to the company.

Commentary: Lack of distribution channels continues to hover over Taiwan solar industry

Feb 9, 15:50

The economy was harsh to the solar industry in 2011 as supply exceeds demand. In 2012, Taiwan-based solar cell firms still need to find a solution to prevent being marginalized.

China polysilicon firm reportedly files for bankruptcy

Feb 8, 01:15

The rapid price drop of polysilicon has caused close to 80% of polysilicon firms in China to halt production. As the rebound of polysilicon pricing has been weak, a China-based polysilicon firm is rumored to have filed for bankruptcy.

Gintech reports falling January revenues

Feb 8, 01:05

Taiwan-based solar cell maker Gintech reported January revenues of NT$1.179 billion (US$40 million), down 11.88% on month and 43.18% on year.

CIGS thin-film solar products get more attention

Feb 6, 14:37

The price drop of mainstream polysilicon solar modules has put thin-film solar module firms in turmoil. Some industry observers believe for solar firms to grow, they need to find a niche market like First Solar with thin-film solar products.

Digitimes Research: 2012 global solar installations to reach 28.5GW, higher than previous forecast

Feb 4, 11:17

Digitimes Research forecast 2012 total installations to be 26.9GW. However, Germany announced fourth-quarter 2011 installations surpassed the predicted 4GW. Hence, Digitimes Research has adjusted its 2012 forecast of global solar installations to 28.5GW.

Neo Solar Power reports narrowing net loss for January

Feb 4, 11:03

Taiwan-based solar cell maker Neo Solar Power (NSP) reported fourth-quarter 2011 net losses of NT$1.666 billion (US$56 million). EPS in the fourth quarter were negative NT$4.46. Fourth-quarter 2011 was the quarter that incurred the highest loss in 2011. Total net losses in 2011 reached NT$2.898 billion...

Digitimes Research: Monocrystalline solar wafer prices in Greater China show increases

Feb 3, 16:29

Compared with downstream firms, quotes from upstream solar firms have been increasing more apparently, according to Digitimes Research analyst, Chihheng Liang. Downstream firms such as makers of solar cells have been trying to increase prices, but have not yet been successful, said Liang.

China lowers solar FIT to CNY7/watt, says report

Feb 2, 15:03

China's 2012 feed-in-tariff (FIT) for user-side solar PV systems has been adjusted to CNY7/watt from the previous CNY9/watt, news outlet Solarzoom indicated in a recent article. The decrease is due to the rapid fall of solar PV system costs in 2011.

Solar wafer makers to increase quotes to US$1.20-1.30/unit

Feb 2, 01:40

The solar industry has been trying to increase prices. Industry sources indicate that 6-inch polysilicon solar wafers have been quoted around US$1.20-1.30/unit. However, downstream solar cell firms have not yet accepted the increased prices.

Solartech sees increasing January revenues

Feb 2, 01:30

Taiwan-based solar cell maker Solartech reported January revenues of NT$464 million (US$15.3 million), up 113.42% on month and down 71.42% on year. Solartech indicated that capacity utilization rate has been around 70%. The firm expects performance in February will be better than in January.

January capacity utilization rates of solar cell makers increase

Feb 1, 01:15

Urgent orders have caused Taiwan-based solar cell firms to experience increasing capacity utilization rates in January. According to Solartech, capacity utilization rate was around 50% in fourth-quarter 2011 but has increased to 70% in the past month.

Germany may cut solar incentives as early as April

Jan 31, 16:28

Asia-based solar supply chains have been looking for a chance to increase prices, however, the reported decisions of governments in Europe to cut incentives during the Lunar New Year may eliminate this chance.

Germany, Italy likely to end subsidies for ground-mounted solar PV systems

Jan 31, 14:44

The Germany and Italy governments, in their plans to decrease feed-in tariff rates for installation of PV systems in April and July 2012 respectively, may delete subsidization for ground-mounted solar PV systems and only subsidize rooftop systems, according to industry sources.

Digitimes Research: Polysilicon and wafer firms in Greater China plan to increase prices after Lunar New Year

Jan 20, 14:43

Due to the upcoming Lunar New Year holidays, prices of solar products in Greater China have been quite stable, however polysilicon and solar wafer firms are inclined to increase quotes after the holidays, according to Digitimes Research analyst Chihheng Liang.

Privatized solar firms in China unlikely to benefit from domestic market expansions, says report

Jan 16, 16:11

The low demand of the solar market in 2011 has been pushing China to develop its own domestic solar demand. However, according to China news outlet NE21, most power plants are under the control of state-own enterprises, and it would be extremely difficult for privatized ownership of such projects....

Digitimes Research: Global solar market share of Germany and Italy to decrease in 2012

Jan 16, 13:57

Germany has announced that 2011 solar PV system installations totaled 7.5GW, and in particular the installations in the fourth quarter alone reached 4.15GW. This means more than 50% of demand came at the end of the year. The high levels of installations temporarily disarmed the concern over the amount...

Digitimes Research: Rising demand continues to push up polysilicon price in Greater China

Jan 13, 16:15

The spot price of polysilicon in Greater China continues to increase. Many small- and medium-size polysilicon firms suspended operations when the price was falling rapidly in 2011. Hence the current polysilicon supply is not enough to meet demand, said Digitimes Research analyst Chihheng Liang. The...

China solar firms reportedly increase orders to Taiwan to avoid possible US punitive tariffs

Jan 13, 12:11

Taiwan's solar industry has seen increases in orders reportedly from China-based firms that are trying to avoid possible tariffs resulted from the US anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation.

Motech capacity utilization rising due to urgent orders

Jan 13, 10:13

Taiwan-based solar cell maker Motech Industries has increased utilization of its production capacity after landing urgent orders for shipments in January-February, according to company chairman Simon Tsuo. Although solar cell prices have fallen to a bottom level, it is still uncertain whether such...

Solar firms hope to increase quotes slightly

Jan 12, 01:35

An upsurge in solar demand at the end of 2011 has brought hope to solar firms. As inventories have been cleared out, solar firms plan to increase prices slightly after the Lunar New Year. Industry sources indicated that supply continues to outpace demand, hence a small increase is more suitable.

Germany 2011 solar installations exceed expectations

Jan 12, 01:25

Due to a surge of demand in December, Germany's 2011 total solar installations reached 7.5GW, exceeding installations in 2010 and expectations. Industry sources believe inventories have been cleared out and an upsurge of shipments can be expected in first-quarter 2012.

Digitimes Research: Global solar market to grow by 11.9% to 26.9GW in 2012

Jan 11, 15:49

The solar industry faced oversupply problems that caused significant price drops in 2011. Most solar firms faced losses. However, the rapid decrease of cost for solar PV systems induced much new demand. Despite the fact that the solar markets in Europe have been affected by lack of funds due to the...

China solar demand only benefits some firms

Jan 11, 01:20

China-based solar firms have been hoping that the China market will overtake Germany as the biggest solar market in the world. However, industry sources pointed out the 5GW of installation demand is for the government to secure the growth of its domestic solar industry. In addition, only a few China-based...

SAS, GET inclined to hike solar wafer prices, some China-based fellow makers to not follow suit

Jan 10, 14:57

Viewing that prices for polycrystalline silicon are rising from US$25-28/kg to US$30/kg, Taiwan-based Sino-American Silicon Products (SAS) and Green Energy Technology (GET) are inclined to hike their prices for solar-grade crystalline silicon wafers, but some China-based fellow makers plan not to follow...

CES 2012: New XO 3.0 showcased with Marvell chip

Jan 10, 01:35

One Laptop per Child (OLPC) is showcasing its latest XO 3.0 tablet PC at CES 2012 at the booth of Marvell.